Tottenham and West Ham are in a race to try and reach the top four. Who can pull closer to their goal?
While perhaps not as directly influencing on the top-four race in the Premier League as the later Southampton-Liverpool match, this edition of the London Derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United could still have a profound effect on it by the end of the season. Spurs are in their usual position lurking around the edges of the battle for the Champions League places, and though their form has cooled of late, West Ham aren't far behind.
Mauricio Pochettino has worked wonders at times in his first season in charge of Tottenham, but despite that Spurs are still only in sixth place. If other results go their way, though, they could pull to within one point of fourth place, leaving them in position to move in to the top four with further positive results. Pochettino faces an additional challenge, however, needing to balance his squad for a midweek Europa League tie with advancement on the line, with the League Cup final close on its heels next weekend.
West Ham doesn't have such balance issues to deal with, and will be going for the throat of their North London rivals. Sam Allardyce's squad will be eager to turn around their dip in form that has seen them win just one EPL match in their last eight tries, and going toe to toe with a squad that might be distracted and fatigued from their multi-front efforts might be just the ticket. Taking Spurs down at White Hart Lane might not be easy, but you can always expect the Hammers to pound away with every iota of effort they can manage.
Key player - Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tottenham's Danish playmaker is constantly at the heart of everything Spurs do in attack, and will need to be at his best again today. The key part of his game that Spurs will be able to lean on in this match is Eriksen's proclivity for serving up quality set pieces, and West Ham's tendency to surrender fouls in the final third of the pitch will give him plenty of chances to make something happen from a dead ball situation.
Key Matchup - Moussa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur) vs. Alex Song (West Ham United)
Two players who were grave disappointments a year ago have been much improved and more valuable to their teams lately. Dembele has been the beating heart of Tottenham's midfield of late, and when he's not buzzing around making himself available to aid Spurs' attack, he'll be doing his utmost to keep Song occupied and away from other Tottenham attackers. Song, meanwhile, will be at his usual business of holding West Ham's midfield together while distributing the ball from deep areas. If he can avoid Dembele's press in possession and keep disciplined when Spurs are on the attack, West Ham's odds of finding a win at White Hart Lane will be all the higher.
Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions
Out: None In doubt: None
West Ham United injuries and suspensions
Out: Andy Carroll (knee), Morgan Amalfitano (suspension) In doubt: Matt Jarvis (knock), Diafra Sakho (back), Cheikhou Kouyate (arm), Winston Reid (hamstring), James Collins (hamstring)
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 7:00 a.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. local
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), TSN (Canada), BT Sport 1 (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1B4a2p6
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